Labour - toiletry bag

[Josico58]

I’m miles and miles off giving birth, but something I’m wondering... what are you ladies planning on taking in with you in terms of a wash bag?

If you’re having a long labour, do you get to go off for a shower?

Also (and I appreciate the sheer irrelevance of this question compared to most labour related questions), but are you allowed to wear nail polish on fingers & toes?

I assume no fake tan?

Again I am aware these are very trivial things, just something I am wondering.

I don't think they have any rules with regards to wearing nail polish or fake tan. When you're on the ward after having your baby, they have shower/bathing facilities. Well they did in the hospital I had DD1 at anyway. Lol!

Here's what I've packed in my toiletries bag for DD2.

Tooth brush
Cotton buds
Wet Toilet wipes
Shampoo/conditioner
Shower wash
Razor
Deodorant
Dry shampoo
Tooth paste

A lot of people have baths during labour to help manage the pain. But if you labour on the ward that's unlikely to be an option. If you labour at home then may as well have a shower/bath. Once you get to the point of going to hospital you won't have time or the inclination to have a shower!! (3 contractions in 10 minutes)

Yes to a shower, no to nail varnish. If you need a section / monitoring they look at oxygen levels through your fingers and can’t do it if there is nail varnish on your fingers. When I had mine, the hospital asked all 3 times that you had no nail varnish on fingers or toes.

They actually prefer to see your nails so they can check your oxygen levels. Fake tan I assume would be fine.
Yes to wet toilet wipes - much much nicer afterwards.

I was in labour for 36 hours at home and then another 36 at hospital and only got to 9cm. Don’t assume it will be a quick labour. My DD’s head was at a funny angle.

Thanks for the responses. This will be my first labour so I don’t imagine I will be hanging around at home. Obviously i’ll try to hold off until I feel I actually need to be there, but as I have no previous labours to compare to, I imagine I will be at the hospital longer than a quick in & out.

That’s why I was wondering about the shower facilities.

People saying no to nail varnish... when did they tell you this?

Unless you are high risk, you won't be admitted onto the labour ward until you have 3 contractions within 10 minutes, so expect to be at home for a while

@le42 when I had DS I had normal nail polish on - when he was stuck and they were prepping me for EMCS the midwife was vigorously taking it off both fingers and toes 😣 Think as PP said it's monitoring oxygen levels.

I get gel nails done now so thought leave toes free and just have it on fingers in case same thing happens! You need electric file and ages of soaking to get it off lol.

Toiletries
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Face wipes
Face moisturiser
Decent lip balm
Deodorant
Fem wipes
Shower gel
Shampoo and conditioner decant into small bottles
Face cloth

@angelmiracle - thank you- I have gel too so would be very difficult for hospital to remove, was thinking to pop into salon on Monday and get my gel taken off and just a basic coat put on - I’m having a c section on Wednesday and in another thread people said they didn’t have it removed... waaah I’m so confused. I don’t mind nothing on my fingers but I always wear polish on my toes and they will look awful with nothing! (I know it’s a ridiculously trivial thing.... but I’ve had such a gross pregnancy... keeping up little things to feel nice about my body has been important)

Don’t forget a water bottle! Seriously! Just a bog standard Evian bottle. I read it on here and it was so much easier washing my bits with it and also took the sting out of having a wee (pour over your bits whilst having a wee). I nearly cried when the cleaner tried to take it away!!

I had shellac on during labour and no one mentioned it. Midwife said it was fine in low risk pregnancies. It must be differrnt depending on where you go so ask your midwife. Sat monitors work through nail varnish though.

Baths are helpful in early labour, and you will be able to shower after giving birth (and you'll need to!) so take wash stuff, toiletries for at least 1 night stay. Flip flops for communal showers aren't the worst idea and I liked having my own towel as the hospital ones are tiny.

You should also be aware that most wards/MLUs will only accept you once you're in active labour which is 4 cm. For some women this will coincide with 3 contractions in 10 minutes but not for all. I hit 3 in 10 after 4 hours but was not dilated at all. Went back in after a further 8 hours and was still only 2cm. Call before you go because contracting in the car is not the best experience and you'll want to do that as few times as possible.

In my toiletries bag I packed:

Shampoo/Conditioner
Brush/Bobbles
Dry Shampoo
Face Wipes/Moisturiser
Lip Balm
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Flannel
Shower Gel

Ended up staying in for a few days and that was enough to keep me feeling fairly refreshed.

When I first got to hospital I was 4-5cm and there was a shower in my attached en suite, I did use it for a long time as I felt like the water on my back eased the pain of contractions. Only really moved out of there when it was time to go to the pool.

@Josico58

My first labour was contractions at home from 10:30pm until 5:30am which were mild and irregular at first and then built to the point I just knew it was time to go in as I needed stronger pain relief.

Got to hospital at 6am and was 5cm dilated. Baby born at 11am, had a shower after delivery and then was home eating my dinner at 5pm.

First labours don’t necessarily mean days in hospital!

I wore nail polish last year hands and toes. No one said anything about not wearing it.

@Bear92x I'm so sorry to hear of your experience, you might be better asking for your post to be moved to the pregnancy board and starting your own thread though, you may get more responses.

Ps ive just realised ive posted this within someone elses thread by mistake, sorry!

I couldnt think of anything worse than having a shower with my 3 day labour! But I did, DH held me under and washed my hair and dried it....it was a huge effort.

Nothing perfumed though for downstairs, as you may have stitches and be sore...dont want anything stingy

PinkDaydreams that’s a great tip, thank you!

Bear92x so sorry to hear what you’re going through, sending you love & hugs. Start a new thread in the main pregnancy forum, I’m sure lots of people will have advice and comforting words for you xxx

One of these-

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113127778216

It was amazing when hot and bothered in labour.

If there’s one thing I wouldn’t take without four it’s a flannel, you’ll be hot

Great shout on the hand fan!

I also have some of these, not specially for labour but should be useful especially in summer pregnancies and births!

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Instant-Cooling-Towel-ICE-Cold-Golf-Cycling-Jogging-Gym-Sports-Outdoor-Towel-UK/183183310571?var=&hash=item2aa6937eeb